RENT-to-own retailer BrightHouse said it ranked alongside other “high street winners” such as John Lewis and Next after annual sales surged.

The group, whose mainly lower paid customers do not have the cash or credit cards to pay for furniture and electrical goods outright, said sales jumped 12.2 per cent to £333.3million in the year ending March 31 at its 286 stores. Earnings climbed 10.1 per cent to £52.6million. Top sellers were smart TVs and reclining leather sofas.

“You hear a lot of doom and gloom about the UK high street but we are winners like John Lewis and Next,” said chief executive Leo McKee. “Our customers want aspirational products but the peace of mind of paying weekly.”

McKee said it had also benefited from growing online demand.

The group hopes to open 12 more stores this year mainly in the South and aims for around 450 in the UK.